OT - Merc A-class Intermittant Starting

If it's auto it's probably related to the transmission interlock.

pst

"Bump start"

Probably manual.

David

On or around Fri, 27 Oct 2006 10:12:25 GMT, rads enlightened us thusly:

hehe. I have seen autos which will self-start at about 20mph, although that's beyond most of us in the matter of pushing a car in a car park.

Battery/starter/earth connections. Is there even a click from the starter solenoid (or whatever).

Indeed. Time for a reading comprehension course.

If it's electic/computer everything and you have ignition lights etc when switched on but nothing from the starter motor I'd be looking either at the starter connections, or if it tries to crank, something like the CPS (crank position sensor), if it has one. Any fault codes from the computer?

Hi Mark.

I have had this before on another vehicle and this is what I did to resolve it. I hope you will understand my explanation and that the same will apply to you problem.

What I found was that the solenoid on the starter its self was sticking. After starting the car the solenoid does not retuned back to the rest position which mean the next time you try and start the starter is dead. A tap of the starter and it returns to its normal position and works.

No need to replace anything. Simply remover the starter, remover the solenoid from the side, strips and clean and your problem should go away. I normally put a very thin film of copper slip grease on the solenoid shaft to prevent it form ceasing in the future. Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Mark Smith Cape Town South Africa